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MILWAUKEE — The continued softness of the economy weighed down on sales and profits at Roundy's during third quarter 2012, the Midwestern supermarket chain said Friday.

The company reported sales of $973.6 million, a 0.3% decrease from third-quarter 2011, while profits were $8.8 million, down from $12.4 million last year. Roundy's operates 161 stores with 98 pharmacies under the Pick 'n Save, Rainbow, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano's banners in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.

MILWAUKEE — Local programs in Wisconsin that help people living with diabetes are getting a big boost in funding from a Danish drug maker.

Novo Nordisk announced Wednesday that it would start accepting applications for Novo Nordisk Community Care Madison/Milwaukee, setting aside $100,000 for local programs that educate people with Type 2 diabetes. The partnerships are part of the company's Novo Nordisk Community Care program.

MILWAUKEE — Carma Labs earlier this year teamed with mixed media artist Lisa Pavelka to launch 365 Days of Lip Service, a collection of artwork created on the lids of 366 Carmex lip balm jars.

“We were thrilled to learn about the project and Lisa’s long-held preference for using the Carmex jar in her artistic creations,” stated Paul Woelbing, president of Carma Labs. “Carmex fans know that, in addition to being a great lip balm, we are dedicated to fun and inspiration. This is a great way to help us celebrate Carmex’s 75th anniversary.”

MILWAUKEE — Carma Labs on Wednesday announced the expansion of its Carmex Moisture Plus line with two new colors — sheer plum and sheer berry.

“Our new plum and berry Moisture Plus tints join our first tinted products — pink and peach. Women love the way the premium lip balm gives their lips intense hydration with a slight hint of color at an affordable price,” Carma Labs president Paul Woelbing said.

There’s been discussion for years about the “moment of truth” and whether the ultimate — and final — purchase decision is made at the shelf. Shopper behavior in a store has been studied, analyzed, hypothesized and debated. Some would argue there is too much stimuli at the shelf, others not enough. Some may suggest that retail pricing is the key deciding factor. Perhaps it’s category assortment, in-stock condition or shelf-edge signage. Still others suggest competitive positioning is the key determinant.

MILWAUKEE — Carma Labs on Thursday announced the permanent addition of two new lip balm flavors: Carmex Lime Twist and Carmex Vanilla Click Sticks.

“We had an overwhelming response to the limited release [in late 2010] of Vanilla and Lime Twist,” Carma Labs president Paul Woelbing said. “Customers told us how much they liked the new flavors and would like them to be available year-round. We are happy to oblige and have added them to our family of flavored lip balms.”

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday marked the 80th anniversary of a Milwaukee-based store that continues to serve the students and surrounding community of Marquette University.

The store, located on 16th St. and Wisconsin Ave., is the second-oldest Walgreens that still operates at its original location, the drug store chain said. The store experienced several innovations rolled out by Walgreens, including "touch-tone prefills," large-type prescription instructions and offering immunizations daily with no appointment necessary.

MILWAUKEE — Aurora Health Care said it would be the first healthcare system in Milwaukee to receive federal recognition for adopting electronic health records, the organization said.

Beginning this month, hospitals and other healthcare providers can register their intent to achieve “meaningful use” of EHRs and qualify for federal incentive payments, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Six of Aurora’s hospitals are registered in the incentive program. The organization also runs a network of retail pharmacies in the region.

MILWAUKEE — Carma Labs on Wednesday announced two new limited-edition flavors: Carmex Lime Twist and Carmex Vanilla Click Sticks.

The new flavors will be available beginning in December 2010 for a limited time at special in-store displays exclusively at all Walgreens.

"Customers looking for a new flavor twist on a tried and true favorite will be excited about these two new flavors," stated Paul Woelbing, president of Carma Labs.

The new Lime Twist and Vanilla Click Sticks are rated an SPF of 15 to provide additional protection to the lips.

MILWAUKEE Concerns about last year's H1N1 virus have had an impact on Americans' hand-washing habits, according to a national survey conducted by Bradley Corp.

In Bradley's second Healthy Hand Washing survey, 50% of the 1,053 respondents said they "wash their hands more thoroughly or longer or more frequently" in public restrooms as a result of the H1N1 virus — that's up from 45% in 2009 when the same question was asked.